National programmes: leprosy disability grading: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · National programmes: leprosy disability grading

Sample item

A 45-year-old farmer under treatment in the national leprosy programme has loss of sensation in both hands and a visible claw deformity of the right hand. What is his WHO disability grade?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Grade 2

WHO grades leprosy disability as 0 (no impairment), 1 (loss of sensation without visible deformity) and 2 (visible deformity or damage, or visual impairment). A claw hand is visible deformity and so places him in grade 2. Grade 2 disability at diagnosis signals delayed detection and is tracked as a programme indicator.

Option by option

  • A. Grade 1

    Grade 1 means loss of sensation only, without visible deformity.

  • B. Grade 0

    Grade 0 means no anaesthesia and no visible deformity, which does not fit him.

  • C. Grade 3

    The WHO scheme has only grades 0, 1 and 2, so grade 3 does not exist.

  • D. Grade 2 (correct)

    Correct. Visible deformity such as a claw hand defines grade 2 disability.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Grade 2. WHO grades leprosy disability as 0 (no impairment), 1 (loss of sensation without visible deformity) and 2 (visible deformity or damage, or visual impairment).

Why is "Grade 1" not the answer?

Grade 1 means loss of sensation only, without visible deformity.

Why is "Grade 0" not the answer?

Grade 0 means no anaesthesia and no visible deformity, which does not fit him.

Why is "Grade 3" not the answer?

The WHO scheme has only grades 0, 1 and 2, so grade 3 does not exist.

What concept does this question test?

It tests National programmes: leprosy disability grading in PSM. A claw hand is visible deformity and so places him in grade 2. Grade 2 disability at diagnosis signals delayed detection and is tracked as a programme indicator.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study National programmes: leprosy disability grading?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.